ENG/Lighting Workshops

[Vern]

I'm looking for some workshops or seminars with instruction about on location lighting. I've been chasing tropical storms for the company I work for and a few times my lighting has been horrible. The company wants to send me to some training.

[F4 Fan]

Vern,

What aspect of your lighting skills do you need to improve on; sit down interviews or outdoor live-shots? While the principles for each are similar they’re different beasts. I can’t imagine that if you are chasing storms that you’ll have much time or need for anything other than a single HMI or reflector. Scrims and silks are more than likely to blow over on you in any kind of windy situation and even if they are properly secured I’m not sure that you’d have the time to set them up and strike them especially under storm-chasing conditions.

Google George Hurrell. He was the leading Hollywood studio photographer in the 30’s and 40’s in the days before strobes. Most of the photographers then used hot lights for their glamour shots and the skills translate to television very well. There are books out there that break down how George and others achieved those shots.

Again I can’t emphasize it enough, but your lighting skills can make you a notch above the pack.

[Miles]

Vern,

Check out....

http://www.poweroflighting.com/

There should be some info about Bill Holshevnikoff's workshops and DVDs.

Another DVD worth checking out is "how to setup, light & shoot great looking interviews". Kevin has put up an article in product reviews.

http://b-roll.net/products/lighting.html

[Vern]

Thank you for your advice.
I mostly need to work on outdoor-live lighting in high winds and pelting rain. I'm trying to figure out what equipment I need to light the background and the "talent". It needs to be light weight and portable as we fly to locations. I have never used and HMI light and my company hates to spend loads of money especially when I'm not sure what will work the best.

The workshop would be nice to help kick the creative juices in gear.

[patssle]

didn't realize the "how to setup, light & shoot" dvd had a b-roll discount. that was the only thing that was keeping me from buying it...the price. but just ordered it!

[Tv Shooter]

I have got the "How to set up,light and shoot great looking interviews" dvd.I found out a lot of what I have been doing in my interviews was completely unneccessary.Doug Jensen boils down all the techniques to a few simple things that everyone should be doing.He also talks about choosing a room or setting....and tips on what makes a great looking setting.
It's definitely worth the price,and then some.Not mention you'll see what kind of light kit you really USE...surprisingly it's a very simple and compact kit.Plus using makeup,something I rarely,if ever did before on my subkects.That makes a huge difference on a lot of people.
As for Vern and outside....you really need 2 lights(I do alot of Weather Channel stuff)...HMI's are absolute.You pack way more punch for the weight and size than carrying tungstens and gels.I use a 400 watt HMI w/softbox and a Lowell Pro for a backlight,gelled.The whole light kit weighs about 38 lbs and draws little off the sat truck.That's about the bare minimum you should carry.I just bought another HMI for background lighting.
They are expensive but worth it.

[Run&Gun]

Vern, HMI's are essential for outdoor, daytime lives shots/stand-up's. I would recomend Bron/Kobold's "Weatherproof" HMI's. They are awesome and will perform in a down-pour, I can vouch for that personally. I have had the 400 openface, and I now use the 800 openface and I would take them over a Joker, or Arri any day(at least a joker ;) ).

Outdoor lighting isn't that hard, as long as you have the proper tools (HMI's, silks, nets, reflectors, etc.). 99% of my outdoor, daytime, LS's/stand-ups consist of my 800 HMI(a 400 will do, too) and 6x6 1/4 stop silk.